Bookshelf > Hunter/Jumper > Training the Modern Jumper

Training the Modern Jumper
By Elmar Pollmann-Schweckhorst,
Forewords by Marcus Beerbaum &
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, and Christoph Hess

Evaluating Potential • Gymnastic Exercises Over Fences
Maintaining Soundness • Dressage for Improving
Performance • Course Building

Hardcover: 160 pages (April 2006)
Language: English
Trafalgar Square Publishing ISBN: 1570763178

“One of the unspoken higher goals of equitation, maybe even the ethical justification for riding at all ... is the expression of a congenial mutual attachment between man and mount, a feeling of being bound to one another.” – p76

This is a book that follows through on the promise of its title. It describes a training program designed for the modern sport of show jumping, explains how today’s sport has changed and evolved, and is concerned above all else with the welfare of the horse. This concern is not just a statement made once or twice throughout the course of the book, but whose ethical guidelines infuse the entire text.

The chapter on Dressage for Jumpers is especially interesting. It not only focuses on what is specifically needed by jumpers, but contributes to the development of the German training scale theory with knowledgeable criticism.

As an added bonus, this full-color book is contains many demonstrative photos of top horses and riders, both in competition and in training. The photos are accompanied by short examples of how top riders dealt with certain situations, both successfully and unsuccessfully.

If you have read the German Equestrian Federation’s Principles of Riding, this is a similar book upholding the sound theory and high standards of the German tradition, tailored specifically for jumpers and with a personal touch from the author.

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About the Author

Elmar Pollmann-Schweckhorst belongs to a family of enthusiastic horse breeders, trainers, and jumper riders. He is a professional instructor and has competed successfully in the United States, Canada, South America, and Europe. In addition, Pollman-Schweckhorst has managed his family’s horse farm in Germany for more than a decade. He has trained the winners of numerous national and international jumping competitions.

Foreword

“Useful solutions for everyday training problems are provided, and in addition, present day developments are critically scrutinized and prolematic subjects are dealt with in an open manner. We think it right and important to discuss problems using actual examples instead of hoping that they will not be spoken of at all.”
– Foreword, Markus Beerbaum & Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, p. 8

“This book offers a wealth of advice for the patient, methodical, and successful training of jumpers, with special regard to the aspects of health and ethics... Enjoy this book. You will be impressed by the ideas laid out for you.”
– Foreward, Christoph Hess, p.9

Contents

1. Systems of Training: Different Roots; Recent History - The Calvary School of Hanover, Controlling the Takeoff Point, Control and Rhythm, Training Centers; What Does ‘Classical School’ Mean?

2. Assessing the Jumper: Assessing the Pedigree - Broodmare Lineage, The Suitable Match, Line Breeding; Conformation - Scope and Build, Toughness and Resistance; Disposition and Heart - Temperament, Character; Free Jumping - Evidence of Ability, Construction of the Grid; Assessment under Saddle - Rideability, Basic Paces, Careful Tendency, Fair Testing.

3. Dressage for Jumpers: Fitness Training; The Rider’s Training Scale; Dressage for Jumpers vs. Competitive Dressage - Unorthodox ideas on the training scale, Rhythm, Suppleness, Contact, Impulsion, Straightness, Collection, Responsiveness to the aids.

4. Jump Training: Jumping technique - Uses, Bascule, Foreleg technique, Hind leg technique, Total process; Training Natural Fences - Water ditches; Combinations and distances; Jumping a course - The warm-up, Focus and rhythm, Economical use of power; Jumping against the clock - Flatwork preparation, Flying changes of lead, Jumping preparation.

5. Trust and Obedience: Resistance - Shying, spooking, head shaking, rearing, balking, running out, refusing; Punishment - Application of the crop, Handling the whip from the ground; Poling (“Touching”) - Variety of nature, Between taboo and prohibition, Everything in moderation.

6. Fence and Course Design: Yesterday–Today–Tomorrow - “Faster–Higher–Wider”, More Compatness–More Technique–More Lightness, Where is Course Design Going?; Course design for training purposes.

7. Preventative Health Care: Feet and shoeing - Hoof mechanism, Shoeing, Faulty conformation; Prevention and recognition of lameness - Weak points, Early recognition; Tooth care.

8. Training and Ethics: At the Core: The Man/Horse Relationship - Subject: Horse, “Listening” to the horse; Wise Advice - Avoid extremes, Keep the end in mind, Follow nature; Cultural value and equitation.

Index

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